The Nightingale (2018)
Kernel Score: 80% · 643 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Western
Released: 2018-09-23
Runtime: 136 minutes
Where to watch The Nightingale
- Stream: Philo, Shudder, Sundance Now, Acorn TV Apple TV channel
- Free with ads: Kanopy
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
In 1825, Clare, a 21-year-old Irish convict, chases a British soldier through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence he committed against her family. She enlists the services of an Aboriginal tracker who is also marked by trauma from his own violence-filled past.
The Nightingale parents' guide: ages 16+
Parents need to know that The Nightingale is an R-rated revenge Western containing graphic depictions of rape, murder, and brutal violence.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Contains graphic murder, brutality, and revenge violence described by reviewers as harrowing and hard to watch.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Intense — Central to the plot is a graphic rape that drives the protagonist's revenge journey, per keywords and reviews.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Nightingale
If you liked The Nightingale, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Proposition (2005) — 79%
- Dead Man's Shoes (2004) — 79%
- Straw Dogs (1971) — 81%
- Lion (2016) — 91%
- Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018) — 88%
- Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) — 75%
- The Salesman (2016) — 82%
- Mom (2017) — 83%
Director
Jennifer Kent
Cast
- Aisling Franciosi as Clare
- Sam Claflin as Hawkins
- Baykali Ganambarr as Billy
- Damon Herriman as Ruse
- Harry Greenwood as Jago
- Ewen Leslie as Goodwin
- Charlie Shotwell as Eddie
- Michael Sheasby as Aidan
- Matthew Sunderland as Davey
- Magnolia Maymuru as Lowanna
The Nightingale FAQ
Is The Nightingale good?
The Nightingale has an 80% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 643 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Nightingale?
In the US you can stream The Nightingale on Philo, Shudder, Sundance Now and Acorn TV Apple TV channel, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Nightingale OK for kids?
The Nightingale is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that The Nightingale is an R-rated revenge Western containing graphic depictions of rape, murder, and brutal violence.
What movies are like The Nightingale?
If you liked The Nightingale, try The Proposition, Dead Man's Shoes, Straw Dogs and Lion.